Chapter 34 - A Homely Home

---Night, Orario---

"This is our home...", Hestia laughed dryly as the three Goddesses showed me their residence, "It's not much, but it's home to us."

Like the anime and manga, this place was rundown church. There were holes in the roof, beams were rotting away, windows were broken, and the building was in bad need of having some stonework done. Overall it was a dump, but I couldn't outright tell them that...it would be a blow to their pride. Even though they knew it was shitty, they did their best to make it a home.

Taking me downstairs to the living quarters, there was the old couch Bell would have slept on along with an old mattress on a makeshift bedframe. Offering me some water, Hestia gave me a warm smile as she handed me a cup. Being around Hestia...she reminded me of the good times I had with my grandparents and Jane. It was hard to explain, just her being around made it feel like a loving home here.

'This is the power of the Goddess of the Hearth.', I thought with a smile, 'I can't understand why people in this world look down on her so much. Who wouldn't to enjoy this sensation when they come back after a long day? Moreover...she smells like my grandmother's homemade sugar cookies.'

"So Aqua has told us a lot about you.", Ristarte told me, "How have your travels been? She said you have gone all over the world looking for adventure."

"It's been quite the experience, it's a very large world with a lot going on. I have met a lot of deities and people along the way. It was quite the experience getting to taste new food and drinks around the world.", I chuckled, "Speaking of which...I brought you something back Aqua."

"You did!?", she gasped, "Is it money!?"

Staring at her with a straight face for a moment, I shook my head and started to laugh. Telling her there was more to life than money, I pulled a large bottle of Fire Drake Mead from Earthland out making her eyes sparkle as she took it from me. Giving me a hug, she thanked me for the gift and immediately opened it. Pouring herself a glass, she took a sip of it and let out a peaceful sigh.

"This is the good stuff...", she sighed, "Ristarte, you want some?"

"I...I don't know...I am a lightweight.", Ristarte replied, "People tell me I get a little rowdy when I drink."

"Ah come on!", Aqua encouraged her, "What's the worse that can happen?"

---Fifteen Minutes Later---

"Heck yeah!!", Ristarte and Aqua shouted dancing around the room like idiots, "Party!! Party!! Come on Mael, let's go kick some butt in the Dungeon!!"

"Hehe, I can see why Aqua talked about you a lot.", Hestia hiccupped, "You seem like a really nice guy, and you are really warm. I could cuddle up with you when it gets cold..."

It's nice to see a flirty, drunk Hestia...I just wish it was towards me and not the pillow on the bed. The three women were extremely lightweight drinkers so three glasses was all it took to make them loopy and rowdy. Grabbing the bottle, I was curious what the alcohol content was. I just grabbed something off the shelf at the store so I didn't actually know what the APV was.

'Sixty percent!?', I thought, 'Shit no wonder they are plastered, we have had anything to eat yet.'

Trying to get them to sit down, the two women decided to make me chase them around the room. A few short steps into their run, they tripped over their own feet and headbutted Hestia who was getting off the bed. The impact...it made a triple KO and the three of them were out like a light. Shaking my head with a smirk, I got them comfortable on the bed as they groaned unconsciously. The fact they let themselves act so helpless around me meant one of three things...they didn't see me as a man, they trusted me, or they were idiots.

'I am going to go with the idiot option.', I thought as I covered them with a blanket, 'Knowing them that's the most reasonable option.'

Since I didn't have anywhere to go tonight, I plopped on the couch to relax. Hearing the beaten couch creaking under me...it didn't instill a lot of confidence in me that I would sleep well. Getting back up, I decided to wander around the city a bit before turning in.

Wandering around the Slums then Babel, I got to enjoy it a bit more than when I first lived here. Doing some window shopping, I saw a lot of ornate weapons and armor in the shop windows. As I was doing that, I saw the darker side of Orario's business scene. Seeing a cart full of slaves roll by at the base of the tower, I couldn't help but notice the downcast expressions on their faces. The cart was headed to the Red Light District so it was pretty clear what awaited them. As much as I didn't like it, it was a normal thing in this world. It was ridiculous that people could sell their own flesh and blood for money...frankly it was sickening.

'If that was allowed in my prior life...Jane and I would have been sold off.', I thought.

Hearing a door open to my right, someone came out of one of the shops.

"Why do you look so sad?", a feminine voice asked.

Turning around I saw Hephaestus standing there. It looked like she had just finished working, and had come out for a drink. Giving her a smile, I told her what was wrong.

"Feel bad for those people.", I said motioning to the slaves, "Terrible business...it's disgusting."

"I agree, it's been part of this world long before our descent...it's only gotten worse since then.", she admitted, "You are Mael, right? Bella and Lily talk about you a lot."

"You know them?", I asked.

"Astraea and I are close friends, I go to her place every now and then to have drinks.", she replied, "I see them running around a lot helping people in the city."

"Well that's good to hear.", I chuckled.

"How about you come with me, I am sure Bella will be happy to see you.", she suggested, "I am headed there now."

"Sure, why not.", I said sticking my arm out, "May I escort you?"

Looking at me with a confused look, I forgot she wasn't used to being treated like a woman. Most people treated her like a man, which was ridiculous. Under that rough atmosphere she tried to put out, she is actually just as kind and caring as Hestia and Astraea. It was only because of her eye that she was looked down upon by the other deities.

'Bunch of fucking assholes is what they are.', I thought.

"Am I not allowed too?", I asked.

"I...I haven't been asked like that before.", she admitted, "This face isn't going to win a beauty pageant so I-"

"What's on the outside isn't nearly as important as what's on the inside.", I told her, "You are friends with Astraea and Hestia, I am sure you are a nice person. Let those other pricks think what they want, they don't know the real you."

Hearing her mutter a thanks under her breath, I escorted her to the Stardust Garden residence. Knocking on the front door, we heard someone come running over to the front door.

"Good Evening Goddess Hephaestus!!", Bella said with a smile, "We were starting to worry because you were taking..."

Looking next to her, she looked up and saw me there. Giving her a smile, Bella jumped up and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Mael!!! You are back!!!", she shouted as she started to sniffle, "Lily and I have missed you so much!!"

"N...no I haven't!?", Lily refuted, "Hold on, Mael is here in person!! I...I need to change!!"

Hearing her and the other women run off, I assumed they were in something close to tank tops and panties...much like the girls on Earthland wore. Getting the all clear from Astraea, I came in and gave her a friendly hello. Taking a seat at the table, Bella asked me how my trip was. Telling her about various places I would have visited, she listened to the stories with an excited expression.

"So are you back to stay?", Bella asked.

"Yep, right now I am sort of staying with Aqua, Ristarte, and Hestia...they kind of knocked themselves out with the alcohol I brought Aqua.", I laughed, "Triple KO headbutt."

"Sounds about right...", Astraea and Hephaestus sighed with a dry tone, "Those morons..."

"I brought you something as well Bella.", I said taking an Adamantine Dagger out, "This should be something that will serve you well in fights."

Noticing that I pulled it out of thin air, I could see the gears turning in Astraea and Hephaestus' heads. Having a spatial storage skill was rare so people that had it were in high demand by every Familia. Since I trusted the two of them, I knew they wouldn't do anything stupid to strong arm me to help them. All they needed to do was ask nicely, and I would help them after all.

Staring at the dagger, Hephaestus asked if she could see it for a moment. Handing it over to her, Hephaestus was shocked to see such pure, well crafted Adamantine Dagger. I knew it wasn't a God Level item, but it would be of great use to Bella as she couldn't break it at her current level.

"This is a good blade.", she said returning it to Bella, "Don't lose it, that blade is probably worth 30 million valis, if not more."

"Th...thirty million!?", Bella shrieked almost dropping the blade, "I...I can't accept such an expensive gift Mael. You shouldn't have spent so much of your hard earned money on me...I am not that special."

"It's for you, I bought it knowing you could use it for many years.", I told her as I patted her head, "Let your brother spoil you a little, it's my job to treat you every once in a while. After all, I have to show you what sort of man you should marry in the future."

"O...okay.", she said turning red with embarrassment, "Marry!? Who said anything about marriage!?"

"Aww, how cute.", Kaguya teased her, "You got jumpy there, are you thinking about marrying-"

"Kaguya!!", Bella protested loudly.

"Your brother is ripped Bella!", Alice shouted, "How can I get that shredded!!"

Chuckling at that response, I found it hilarious that she'd want to be this muscular. There was only a finite number of men that would date a very muscular woman. Only someone confident with their own body would date them...and those men weren't going to just walk up to her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Bella and Lily talk about you constantly.", Ryu spoke up shaking my hand.

"Thank you all for looking after them, they can sometimes be a handful.", I joked.

Lightly hitting me, Bella and Lily told me that was a lie. Chuckling at their reactions, I couldn't help but pat them on the head.

"Stop it...", Lily weakly said, "We are Level 2 Adventurers...you will ruin our street cred..."

"I don't think that applies to family.", I remarked.

Puffing her cheeks, she pushed my hand off with a huff. I thought she looked cute trying to act tough, but her ears betrayed her. They were twitching with happiness like they always did when I patted her head.

"I got you something as well.", I told Lily, "I got you a Enchanted Crossbow."

"Enchanted Crossbow!!", Lily shrieked.

Pulling out a crossbow with a removal elemental stone, she looked at it in shock. Holding it carefully, her eyes were wide in shock.

"It's...it's so light...", she gulped.

"It's made with Silverwood and Mythril.", I told her, "The elemental stone comes out, and can be swapped with these stones. The colors reflect the element they contain and they regenerate their elemental power naturally so you won't need to replace them."

Trembling as she held it, she instinctively knew such a weapon wasn't cheap.

"Silverwood...", Ryu said suspiciously.

"Before you ask, I bought this from a High Elf Craftsmen.", I lied.

"Is Silverwood rare?", Lily asked.

"It almost never leaves the Elven forests.", Alice stated with a gulp, "It's a very pricey material that can cost a million valis for a pound of it. They make high end staves and wands with it."

"H...how much is it worth, the crossbow I mean?", Lily inquired.

"About 30 million valis as well.", Hephaestus told her.

Shakily handing it back, Lily insisted she couldn't take it. Pushing it back into her hands, I said she was important to me and should take it. It wasn't worth nearly as much as her life was. Hearing that Lily's face turned bright red as the others teased her.

"How much do you think we are worth?", Bella asked me curiously.

"Priceless, no matter where I go there will only be one Bella and one Lily like both of you.", I remarked.

Steam came out of their heads, as they scurried off telling me I was an idiot. Chuckling at that, Astraea and Hephaestus said I was a real ladies man. Shrugging my shoulders, I said I was only telling the truth.

"You going to try to weasel your way in here?", Hephaestus pressed me.

"Nope, this Familia is females only. I am not brazen enough to push my way in. The two of them will still be family even if we aren't in the same Familia.", I replied, "I have my eyes set on other Familias."

"Wait...you aren't in one yet?", Alice asked.

"No, I have been traveling and training. I wanted to see how far I could get without a God's Falna.", I said, "You'd be amazed how powerful you can get when you put your mind to it. Now then...have you given the five Evilus a warning?"

Changing the subject abruptly, Astraea looked at the table with a sad expression.